RUBEE TUESDAY: Vecina, ZuZu, Pa'La Downtown, Eden Bar and Blue Hound Kitchen at Hotel Palomar, Anhelo
WorldClass grilled Spanish octopus with mole rojo at Vecina in Phoenix
A weekly Tuesday feature, I publish Rubee Tuesday as a photo recap of my recent drinking and dining adventures. You can read past Rubee Tuesdays HERE.
Tuesday, March 21: Vecina (Phoenix). If we lived closer, we would be regulars at Vecina. I’m always so impressed with the uniquely creative dishes here (not to mention the excellent craft cocktails). On Tuesday, we stopped in for drinks and a quick bite, but couldn’t say no to guacamole, chicken karaage with aji amarillo, citrus gastrique, and togarashi, and what is now one of my favorite octopus dishes in town - WorldClass grilled Spanish octopus and mole rojo with white beans and aji verde.
I was also treated to a preview of one of the best dishes I have ever had at Vecina! Tacos Árabes are now being served daily as a limited special, so get there while you can for this fantastic WorldClass Cinco Jotas acorn-fed Ibérico pork and chipotle crema on flatbread garnished with pickled onions, almond dukkah and micro cilantro.
Our next stop was ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho in Old Town Scottsdale. I love introducing Meridith May (editor and owner of SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines) to my favorite spots since her move from LA. After a feast that included potato pavé topped with Argentine steak tartare and WorldClass caviar, roasted garlic hummus, lobster mac and cheese, glazed Japanese eggplant, and Argentine steak (filet and ribeye), what was her verdict? “The best meal! Chef Lacasce is a genius.”
Duck fat potato pavé topped with Argentine steak tartare and WorldClass caviar.
And speaking of Argentine beef, I have my reservations to a special Argentina Dinner at ZuZu on April 20. Get alll the details, including menu, at THIS LINK.
To learn more about executive chef Russell LaCasce, listen in on our A Taste of AZ podcast on Apple Podcasts, or watch it on YouTube by clicking the photo below.
Wednesday, March 22: I had another double-header the next day, first stopping at Pa’La Downtown for a great interview with chef-owner Jason Alford and general manager Gilles Kolakowski. Look for my column in the June issue of SOMM Journal.
Afterwards, I took advantage of the beautiful weather to finally check out Eden Bar, the rooftop lounge at Kimpton Hotel Palomar, and experience beverage director Clint Spotleson’s fantastic craft cocktails (like the Phoenix Rising below). Read all about it HERE, and see more on my video Reel.
Phoenix Rising at Eden Bar (hibiscus and orange infused Tito's vodka, lemon, pomegranate green tea syrup, and La Poema sparkling rose)
Dinner downstairs at Blue Hound Kitchen and Bar: I first met executive chef Alex Robinson at Royal Palms, and executive sous chef Michael Press at Tanzy, and I have been fans of both talents ever since.
Chefs Alex Robinson and Michael Press
Needless, to say, we enjoyed another stellar visit (here is my last one), with highlights including pao de queijo cheese rolls and espelette butter, crab and yellow tomato chowder, Wagyu with house chili crisp and WorldClass caviar, cilantro-crusted WorldClass sea bass with smoked tomato romesco, and Argentine ribeye. I also made a video Reel here.
Thursday, March 23: Anhelo Scholarship Fundraiser Dinner. Chef-owner Ivan Jacobo has always made giving back to the community a priority (look for a future website interview!). On Thursday, he launched the Anhelo Restaurant Scholarship Foundation by hosting a wine dinner to raise funds for scholarships to the Culinary Arts program at Estrella Mountain Community College. Check out my Reel here for a recap of our amazing seven-course dinner.
You can learn more about Anhelo in my December 2022 column for SOMM Journal.
Check back next week as I share photos of Mariscos Playa Hermosa, Arboleda, Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse, First & Last, and Little Debbie’s.
And follow along on my Instagram for this week’s visits to Wren & Wolf and Weft & Warp at Andaz Resort.